Frontage Road over Rogers Clark Ditch (Division A) and Gordon Road over Niespodziany Ditch (Division B)

The St. Joseph County Redevelopment Commission and St. Joseph County Commissioners are soliciting sealed bids on construction of two road and utility infrastructure projects — Frontage Road over Rogers Clark Ditch (Division A) and Gordon Road over Niespodziany Ditch (Division B) — with bids due August 4, 2026 and public opening on the same day at the St. Joseph County Commissioners office in South Bend, Indiana.

Bidders must be prequalified with the Indiana Department of Transportation. Division A involves constructing a box culvert with sanitary sewer and water main crossings, new intersection construction, and related roadway work; Division B includes replacement of an existing structure, pavement reconstruction, Strawberry Road improvements, storm sewer installation, and guardrail installation. Division A must achieve substantial completion by December 15, 2026 and final completion by April 30, 2027; Division B requires intermediate completion by April 1, 2027, substantial completion by June 1, 2027, and final completion by September 30, 2027. Division A must be completed prior to commencing Division B work. Notice to Proceed is August 11, 2026.

The contract award shall be made to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder for both divisions combined. Bidders must submit a certified check or bid bond equal to 10 percent of the total bid amount. The successful bidder shall furnish separate Payment, Performance, and Maintenance Bonds before commencing work — Payment and Performance Bonds at 100 percent of the contract price and a Maintenance Bond at 10 percent, effective for three years from final acceptance. Liquidated damages are $3,000 per day for failure to meet completion deadlines, excluding delays from unforeseeable circumstances beyond the contractor's control.

Work shall comply with St. Joseph County Specifications and the 2026 Indiana Department of Transportation Standard Specifications. Multiple environmental and utility permits are already obtained or pending, including coordination with AEP, Brightspeed, ChoiceLight, MDS Fiber, AT&T, City of South Bend Sewer, and Town of New Carlisle Water. Contract documents and plans are available for a nonrefundable $35 fee from the St. Joseph County website, with examination at the County Engineer's Office during standard business hours. The County reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to hold bids for up to 60 calendar days from receipt.